As part of the overall support that Government of India is giving to the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 and its flagship legacy programme, Mission XI Million, the ‘Oorja CAPF U-19 Football Talent Hunt Tournament’, an U-19 men’s and women’s football competition, was launched at India Gate on Saturday by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Also present at the occasion were Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (IC) Vijay Goel, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs – Kiran Rijiju and Hansraj Ahir, Minister of State Home Affairs.

#FootballTakesOver India Gate in the run up to the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017

Doing the official kick-off at the iconic location, Rajnath Singh pledged his support towards the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 and the Mission XI Million programme and said that he felt ‘Oorja’ would help in spreading the game across the country and to add excitement leading up to the much-awaited first FIFA tournament in the country.

Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee for the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, Javier Ceppi highlighted the complete support given by Government of India through different initiatives for the development of football. He said, “We are appreciative to the Ministry of Home Affairs for their support by launching this Competition that will integrate into Mission XI Million and help take football to every nook and corner of India, which is our objective in the run up to the Event. This is another proof of the importance that the game is taking in the country and of the overwhelming support that Government of India is providing the World Cup and Mission XI Million. With all such activities, football will truly take over India”.

Decorated athletes from across an array of sports were present including wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Babita Phogat, cricket legend Kapil Dev, badminton coach P. Gopichand, boxer M.C. Mary Kom and former football stars Bhaichung Bhutia and I.M. Vijayan. They all pledged their support for the beautiful game, giving their backing to the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 and its legacy programme, Mission XI Million, which will reach out with football to 11 million children before the start of the tournament in October.